I remember watching 'Rocky' as a kid and when it was over both me and my brother immediately grabbed our boxing gloves, ran outside, and started pounding the crap out of each other!

Well, I'm not a kid any more but this anime has the same effect! This is one of the few anime series that I've found myself up off the couch cheering as I'm watching - don't laugh! Watch the first 16 episodes and you'll have a hard time not doing the same thing.

This was one of the first 'long' series my wife and I watched together many moons ago and we are currently in the process of rewatching it. It still holds up as one of the most exciting, heart-pounding anime we've watched together.

Technically the animation, although dated, is very well done. The artwork itself is fairly bold and simplistic but the animated fight sequences (matches) are amazingly fluid and do an outstanding job of portraying the physicality and emotion of fighting.

Since this is a longer series there are several OP and ED pieces, which, while I'm not particular about all of them, several are great and definite stand-outs. The background music is excellent and I love the 'Rocky-esque' trumpet fanfare whenever Ippo wins a match!

There is tons of humour in this series as well as many emotional moments so you'll be swinging the pendulum of emotions. I thought this was particularly well portrayed from an athlete's perspective as the characters remind me of several of my cousins who wrestled in the NCAA level - tough guys, but so emotional! They cry just as quickly as they laugh!

I've noticed that there's an English dub version available and I've since seen episodes in both English and the original Japanese w/subs. Let me say, I enjoy a good English dub but this series should be watched in the original Japanese. No offense to the English dubbers, but on this one they just couldn't capture the flare and emotions of these characters (Takamura!)...

Overall, whether you enjoy 'sports' anime or not, this series is not to be missed! (show less)

This anime was truly amazing. I heard about it from a friend and i was skeptical since i'm not so into sports, but this anime is a must see for everyone. It's less about the boxing itself than it is about the determination to overcome difficulties.


Story: This i feel was the second weakest part of the anime, but it still is intriguing. The story is very character driven. You will love all the characters at their best moments, and sympathize with them at their worst moments. Each fight has a new character that has their own creative qualities. But because it goes fight to fight, the series tends to be a bit episodic. However, each episode ends in such a way that you just crave to see more.


Dialogue: My least favorite part. While much of the dialogue is very witty, funny, and inspiring, the main character gets frustrating at times. This is because he is so well characterized as a timid sort of person that he stumbles a lot, but then mans up and shows his guts. Each time he shows his fighting spirit, you expect him to be as awesome all the time, but afterwards he goes back to "normal." Aside from the main character's timidness, there is so much hilarious dialogue between the gym members. And during the fights, you get some very intriguing imagery when the fighters are stunned after big hits.

Animation: This was the most surprising part to me. This anime started around the time that Rurouni Kenshin did, so I honestly didn't expect the animation to be the best. I was completely wrong. All of the movements are very detailed and carefully done. During the fights, everything is so smooth, and the art really gives a great impression of the power behind each punch. At first, the characters seem a bit ugly, but you get used to it and realize that the art is meant to be different. For a year 2000 anime, the animation is simply astounding.

(Also, the newer season (New Challenger!) has even better animation.)


Entertainment: Absolutely top notch. Each episode leaves you craving more and more. The entire series is filled with side splitting hilarity, awe inspiring determination, and blood boiling action. Never before has an anime series EXCITED me as much as this one does. My particular favorite If you want something fun to watch, you have to try this anime.


P.S.
Don't pick up boxing because of this. The one thing they emphasize that doesn't stand out to you because everything else is so fantastic is the immense hardships of boxing. (show less)